Parking indication sign for vehicles for disabled persons

ABSTRACT

In an indication device for a motor vehicle used by a disabled person, in particular a person in a wheelchair, with said indication device comprising an illuminated sign which displays information that for parking of vehicles, sufficient space should be maintained to the entry door of the motor vehicle, at least one distance sensor or movement detector is fitted to the motor vehicle, such that vehicles which are parking too near are registered by distance measuring, and subsequently, illumination of the sign and an acoustic signal transmitter are activated for a specified period of time.

[0001] The invention relates to an indication device for a motor vehicle used by a disabled person, with the characteristics stated in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The widely used wheelchair driver symbol is used to safeguard against others parking too near to the entry door of vehicles used by disabled persons. While the symbol is visible in daylight, it is still often overlooked because it is not sufficiently conspicuous, and in the dark it is hardly noticeable at all. The problem is thus predominantly one of lack of perception, as a result of which it is often made impossible for persons in a wheelchair to get into their vehicle independently.

[0003] In this context it is known from DE 296 15 687 U1 and DE 297 20 654 U1 as well as the French published application no. 2 690 885 to clip a laterally protruding arm comprising a sign onto the lateral window and affix this arm by closing the window. This arm protrudes from the vehicle by the same distance as is taken up when the door is opened for the disabled person to get into his/her vehicle. Furthermore, it is known from DE 197 25 209 A1 to provide a parking disc display which when the vehicle is locked automatically displays the parking commencement time. In this arrangement, the display field can automatically display a note, for example an icon denoting a disabled person. Finally, from DE 195 37 619 C2 it is known to provide rearward distance sensors on a motor vehicle which register the approach, for example, of a bicycle from behind, and which automatically cause a warning to be issued not to open the doors, or even cause opening of the doors to be blocked.

[0004] It is the object of the present invention to provide an automatic indication device for adequate parking distance, with said device not requiring any components that protrude from the vehicle.

[0005] This object is solved by the characteristics stated in claim 1. Improvements of the invention are characterised in the subclaims.

[0006] By means of sensors such as ultrasound or movement sensors, the device according to the invention, which is affixed to the vehicle used by the disabled person, registers a vehicle which is parking too near and by way of a connection to the lighting system of the sign and to an acoustic signal generator activates both these devices for a set period of time.

[0007] Lighting which is displayed during close parking is very conspicuous at night. The signal sound is above all used for support during daylight, because it is clearly audible over the short distance by the person leaving the parked car.

[0008] In a special embodiment of the invention, two ultrasound sensors, known from park distance control devices, are fitted to the entry door of the vehicle used by a disabled person, with said sensors being spaced apart by 70 cm. They are set so that if a vehicle parks alongside the vehicle used by the disabled person at a distance which is less than the width of the door, a signal is displayed via a cable on the sign affixed in the interior of the vehicle to the side window. By means of a time setting, the sign can for example light up or blink for one minute. Such information can also be supported by a gong sound which is audible from the outside, and which is transmitted by a loudspeaker fitted to the sign or fitted on (in) the vehicle.

[0009] In the preferred embodiment with two sensors spaced apart from each other, superfluous triggering of signals by pedestrians walking past can be prevented, because the sensors are coupled and the signal is triggered only if both sensors respond. 

1. An indication device for a motor vehicle used by a disabled person, in particular a person in a wheelchair, with said indication device comprising an illuminated sign or an illuminated board which displays information that for parking of vehicles sufficient space should be maintained to the entry door of the motor vehicle, characterised in that at least one distance sensor or movement detector is fitted to the motor vehicle, such that vehicles which are parking too near are registered by distance measuring, and subsequently, illumination of the sign and an acoustic signal transmitter are activated for a specified period of time.
 2. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that for distance measuring, two coupled ultrasound sensors or movement detectors are affixed, mutually spaced apart, to the entry door of the motor vehicle.
 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the acoustic signal transmitter is a loudspeaker. 